Spring-latch lock



Jan. 6, 1942. M FALK 2,268,743

SPRING-LATCH LOCK Filed May'20, 1939 \I Q ,1 v

d W o I INVENTOR. Maze/s Fe /4e,

ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 6, 1942 U N I TED STATES PAT ENT OFFICE 2,268,743 SPRING-LATCH Look 1 Morris Falk, Leominster, Mass., assignor to Independent Lock Company, Fitchburg, Mass, a corporation otMassachusetts Application May 20, 1939, Serial No. 274,714 12 Claims. to]. 292-337) This invention relates generally to looks, and

or looking position by a spring, andin whicha dead-locking arrangement isprovided by means of which the bolt may be retained in its protruded or retracted position. Operation of the bolt is ordinarily effected in commercial forms now available bya key associated with a pintumbler cylinder arrangement. r

Among the main defects and disadvantages inherent in conventional springlatchlocks of this type are found to be too ready accessibility of the parts holding the lock in assembled. rela-- tion and lack of reversibility in the latch bolt. As a result of the first mentioned'defect, it is possible for anintruder" finding the door locked, to reach in-through an open window situated near the lock, or through a' hole cut'in the door and to remove the cover of the lock and therebyremove the bolt where. it is mounted in or on the cover, as is often the case, or-to expose the bolt, if it is not so mounted, and make it-available for any desired manipulation. As ,aresult of the second disadvantage mentioned, it is necessary for a dealer. to stock separategt'ypes, of locks, one for use on inwardly swinging doors and the other for use, on. outwardly swinging doors.

It is therefore among theobjects of my invention to provide a spring latch lock construction in which the parts are so arranged that when the door carrying the lock is closed, the fastenings holding the lock parts together are inaccessible.

Another difliculty in rim latches known to me lies in the employment of a bracket for the lock, which is mounted in position first, and then followed by'the'attempt to mount the latch carrying part to this bracket. This procedure is'tedious and requires exacting workmanship. Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide a lock which the mountingis'simple and'v-isibly accomplished.

It is a further object of my invention to provide in a lock of the spring latch type, a bolt that is reversible, so that the same look may, after suitable adjustment, be used either for out- Wardly or for inwardly swinging doors.

It is also-amongthe objects of my invention tov provide in a spring latch lock, a construction by which all strain is taken from the visible parts of the lock, with the result that such visible parts may be made of materials hitherto not available therefor, because lacking the necessary strength. These materials thus made available forthe first time maybe of types that when used for this: purpose result in novel'ornamental effects hitherto unattainable. As an example thereof, I may mention the modern synthetic plastics, by means of which many beautifuleffects may be produced. t

It is the general object of my invention to provide in a lock of the spring latch type, a construction that is simple, effective and low. in manufacturing and operating'costs. I

To attain these objects and such further objects as may appear herein or be hereinafter pointed out, I make reference to the accompanying drawing,

Figure l is a plan View of my improved spring latch lock, with portions thereof shown in section; Figure 2 is an end elevational view thereof; Figure 3 is a sectional View substantiallyon theline 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a sectional view substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, looking in the direc-' tion of the arrows;

Figure 5 isavie-w similar to-Figure 1, but with the cover removed;

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of the cover of my improved spring latchlock;

Figure 7 is a detailbottomplan view, on an enlarged, scale, of the dead-locking plate; and

slide.

My improved rim spring latch lock comprises, in general, a strong frame member which carries the bolt 'anda dead-locking mechanism for holding the bolt locked in its projected or its retracted position, together with a cover which,

while it carries control means for the bolt and the dead-locking mechanism, is not exposed to strain and therefore can be made of material having ornamental properties that are not possessed by materials sufficiently strong to-bear the strain to which the bolt and its mountings are exposed. Means for fastening the back plate and the cover are provided but these are so disposed as tobe invisible and inaccessible when the door carrying the lock is shut, whereby the cover may be given clean, sweeping outlines and tampering with the fastening means isprevented.

In the drawing, I have shown at H] a plate, which I will term the back plate, adapted to be fastened tov adoor, for which purpose screwforming a part hereof, in

l2 has a substantial portion thereof covered by the strike plate S, indicated in dot and dash lines in Figures 1 and 3, when the door is shut, and in particular the strike plate S covers the heads of the screws l5, which pass through the wall I 2 and into the cover l6, and which serve to secure it in place on the back plate ID, as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

The back plate l9 also carries a post or stud thereon which is sufiiciently strong to resist the pressures of the bolt head |4 against it when an attempt is made to push the bolt inward.

The bolt is provided with a stem in the form of a flat bar 8, slotted as shown at l9, and the post I! passes through this slot and serves toguide the bar l8 and the bolt head (see Figures 3, 4, and 5). At its inner end the bar l8 branches out into two arms 20, each having oppositely disposed lugs 2| extending therefrom, these lugs being symmetrically disposed. Carried on the upper surface and to one side of the bar I8 is a dead-locking lug 22, and carried on the lower surface and to the other side of the bar I8 is a second dead-locking lug 23.

It will be observed that the bolt construction, except for the inclined face 24 of the bolt head, is entirely symmetrical about a medial plane parallel to the back plate and to the face of the door to which it is attached. When the bolt is in the position of Figure 5, the lock is adapted for an inwardly swinging door, while when it is reversed (so that the inclined bolt head face 24 is inclined downward to the right instead of the left) as in Figure 5, the lock is adapted for an outwardly swinging door. It is to be particularly observed that when the bolt is reversed, the dead-locking lug 23 assumes the position of the dead-locking lug 22.

A pair of ribs 25 are provided on the back plate It], these engaging the outside of that pair of lugs 2| that extend toward the back plate, whereby they serve as additional guide means for the bolt.

The bolt is normally caused by the compression spring 26, seated with one end on a pin 21 carried by the bolt and with its other end in a recess 28 in the forward side of the post IT, to assume a protruded position. It may be retracted from this position by means to be described, and may be held either in its protruded or retracted position by a dead locking arrangement that comprises, besides the lugs 22 and 23 already described, a plate 29, secured to the post H in any suitable or preferred manner, as for example by a screw 30, and provided with a transverse groove 3| adapted to receive therewithin the locking slide 32. The latter is adapted to assume a position in which one end protrudes into the path of the locking lug 22 (or 23) and into another position (shown in Figure 5) in which the same end is retracted so that the its end protrudes into the path of the lug 22 and prevents movement of the bolt to the left, as shown in Figure 5.

The post l1 and the plate 29 are preferably so dimensioned in relation to the bolt parts that when theslide is in its bolt locking position and preventing movement of the bolt in one direction, its movement in the other direction is prevented by the parts mentioned, or by other parts, so that the bolt is locked against all movement.

In order to move the slide 32, I may provide means such as a pin having a head 34, adapted for engagement by means to be described hereinafter, and having its shank 35 passing through a slot 36 into the slide 32. In order to locate the slide 32, respectively, in its protruded and retracted positions, as described hereinabove, I may provide locating means in the form of notches 3'! and 38 into which is adapted to seat the angled portion of an angularly bent spring 39 positioned in a recess 40 on the underside of the plate 29 (see Figure 7).

Journalled in the back plate In is shown a sleeve 4|, to which is rigidly attached on the outside thereof, a plate 42 provided with a slot 43, adapted for the reception of a conventional connecting or break bar such as is customarily provided in order to effect a connection between the spring latch and a pin tumbler cylinder lock positioned within the door.

On its inner end the sleeve 4| carries fixedly connected thereto a bolt retractor 44, provided with a pair of fingers 45-45, extending laterally in opposite directions therefrom, and each adapted to engage one of the lugs 2|, whereby on turning the sleeve 4| by means of the key through the connecting bar and slot 43, one of the fingers 45-45, depending upon the direction of turning, will move one of the lugs 2| to the left, as shown in Figure 5, and will retract the bolt.

A bolt retracting arrangement similar to the one just described is carried by the cover I6. It comprises a sleeve 41 journalled in the cover and having attached thereto, on the inside of the cover, the retractor 48, similar in shape and function to the retractor 44, and provided with laterally disposed fingers 49 and 50, adapted to engage the upper pair of lugs 2| and to retract the bolt when the sleeve 41 is turned, which may be done by means of the knob 5| fixedly mounted on the outer end of the sleeve 41 and disposed outside of the cover. The knob 5| is conveniently made of a shape other than round or spheroidal, for example. ellipsoidal, as shown, so as to indicate the position of the retractor 48.

For operating the dead lock from outside the cover, I have shown means comprising a stublug 22 may move together with the bolt into the retracted position of the latter. When the bolt is in its retracted position it may be locked in that position by moving the slide 32 from its position as shown in Figure 5, in which its end clears the lug 22, into a position in which it protrudes into the path of the lug 22 and therefore prevents its movement to the right, so as to protrude the bolt head l4. On then moving the slide 32 into the position of Figure 5, the bolt will be released from its retracted position and will move, urged by the spring 26, into its projected position, as shown in Figure 5. In this position it may be locked, by moving the slide 32 so that shaft 52, provided with a handle 53 on the outside of the cover whereby it may be turned, while on the inside of the cover the stub-shaft 52 carries a forked member 54, adapted to receive the pin head 34 in the slot 55 thereof, so that when the handle 53 is turned the slide 32 may be moved, as already explained, into either of its dead-locking positions.

The back plate H3, at the end thereof removed from the wall I2, is provided with an undercut 56, and the cover I6 is provided with a complementary rib 51 which, when these are in engagement, the :cover l6 will be locked against direct movement away from the back plate, although it is still free to tilt about these interlocking portions 56 and 51 as an axis, as indicated in Figure 3, and by moving the cover to the left,

after it is tilted as in Figure 3, it ma be completely disengaged from the back plate.

It will be observed that the retractor 48 and the forked member 54 are so arranged that they do not prevent movement of the cover away from the back plate. However, such movement is prevented by the interlocking portions 56" and 51'.

On the other hand, disengagement ofthe cover 16 from the back plate l0 cannot be-effectedby movement of the cover to the left, asin Figure-3;

a tilting movement such as shown in Figure 3 line position of Figure 3, and the cover'is then moved into its seat on the back plate and secured in position by applying the screws l5, which thread into reinforced portions 58 in the cover.

The cover may also be provided with reinforcing portions, whereby its strength is materially increased without appreciably increasing its bulk. Such portions are shown at 59 as in the form of ribs running longitudinally along the juncture of the side walls with the bottom walls.

At 60 I have shown guide surfaces for the lugs 2| which are similar in function to the inner surfaces of guide ribs 25, except that they are located on the cover, while the latter are on the back plate. They serve to guide one pair of lugs 2| while the ribs 25 secure the other pair, so that all of the lugs 2| are guided.

It will therefore be observed that I have provided a spring latch lock construction that is simple and effective, and is adapted for a variety of novel ornamental eifects by making possible the use of materials adapted for such effects in parts exposed to view, because such parts are designed to be free from strain. Thus it will be apparent that light weight sheet metal stampings may be used for the cover I6 and that by my construction, modern synthetic plastics, such as cast phenolicresins, extruded and die-casting metals, or synthetic plastics may be employed for making this cover, whereas previously relatively heavy, highv strength parts were required.

It will also be observed that I have provided a spring latch lock construction in which the fastening means for holding the cover of the lock in place are invisible and inaccessible when the door carrying the lock is closed. It will further be observed that I have provided a spring latch lock construction in which the bolt is reversible so as to adapt the lock for use either on a door opening outwardly or' on a door opento their use in combinations herein disclosed but that I also contemplate their use in other combinations.

It will be further understood that while I have disclosed one illustrative embodiment of my invention, that. my invention may be embodied in many other forms without departing from the spirit thereof, as will be obvious to those skilled in the art and that the disclosure herein is by way of illustration merely and is not to be interpreted in a limiting sense, and while I consider my inventionin its preferred form to embody all of the features disclosed herein, segregated ones of th'e above features are considered as coming within my invention, and I do not limit myself other than. as. called for by the prior art and as measured by the appended claims. Having. thus described my invention and illustrated'iits use, what I claim is new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:-

l. A spring latchlock. comprising. a. frame member having means for fastening. the same to. a dooraand providing the primary means for holding the lock in" position, a bolt slidably mounted on said framemember, a bolt retractor carriedby said frame" member, means: for locking saidbolt against movement carriedby said frame member, said means being arranged to resist the stresses to which said bolt may be subjected,

a cover adapted for superpositioning over'said' frame member and the parts carried thereby, a second-bolt retractor carried by said cover, means for operating said bolt locking means, said second retractor and said bolt lock operating means being so disposed and contoured that whenthe cover is in place on said member they will engage parts carried by said frame member whereby they are enabled to perform their intended function, while when said cover islifted directly away frorn said frame member, said second retractor and said bolt lock operating means will be disengaged from the aforesaid parts carried by said frame, whereby the cover member is relieved of the stresses to which said bolt may be subjected.

2. Ina rim spring latch look, a member adapted to be fastened directly to a door, a bolt,

an opening insaid member in which the bolt is slidable, an abutment carried by-said bolt and means carriedby said member and arranged to resist the stresses to which said bolt maybe subjected, adapted-to be interposed in the path of said abutment so as to lock said bolt against movement, whereby a cover member is relieved of the stresses to which said bolt may be subjected.

3. In a rim spring latch look, a member adapted to be fastened directly to a door, a bolt,

an'opening in said member in which the bolt' is slidable, an abutment carried by said bolt and means carried by said member adapted to be interposed in the path of said abutment soas'to lock said bolt against movement, whereby the last named means are arranged to resist the stresses to which said bolt may be subjected, a cover adaptedfor superpositioning over said member and the parts carried thereby, and means carried by said cover adapted to engage said bolt locking means and to moveit into or out of the path of said abutment, said means carried by said cover being disengageable from said bolt locking means by moving the cover away from said'member, whereby a cover member'isrelieved of the stresses to which said bolt may be subjected. I

4. In a rim spring latch locka back-plate adapted to be fastened to a door, said back-plate having an upstanding wall thereon normally arranged to be exposed on one side and adapted to be covered by the strike plate when the door is closed, a cover having side walls adapted to overlie said back-plate and to abut said upstanding wall so that substantially all parts of said base plate are hidden from view, and comple-' mentary fastening means on said cover and said back-plate, inaccessible when the cover is in position on said plate, and other fastening means between the said portions of the back-plate adapted ing a member having means for fastening the same to a door and providing the primary means for holding the lock in position, a sliding bolt mounted on said member, deadlatch locking means on said member whereby said dead locking means are arranged to resist the stresses to which said bolt may be subjected, a cover adapted to be secured to said member, said cover having means for operating said bolt mounted thereon but being substantially free from strain due to manipulation of the bolt in dead-latch locking position, and means for securing said cover to said member, whereby a cover member is relieved of the stresses to which said bolt may be subjected.

6. In a rim spring latch look a casing comprising a member having means for fastening the same to a door and providing the primary means for holding the lock in position, a sliding bolt mounted on said member, dead-latch locking means on said member whereby said dead looking means are arranged to resist the stresses to which said bolt may be subjected, a cover adapted to be secured to said member, said cover having means for operating said bolt mounted thereon but being substantially free from strain due to manipulation of the bolt in dead-latch locking position, and means for securing said cover to said member, said cover being made of relatively weak material taken from the group consisting of light weight sheet metal, ornamental plastics, synthetic plastics, extruded or die cast synthetic plastics, whereby said cover member made from the aforesaid materials is relieved from the stresses to which said bolt may be subjected.

7. In a rim spring latch look, a pair of members adapted to be secured together so as to form a hollow casing, a bolt mounted for sliding movement on one of said members, an upstanding wall on said member, and an undercut provided on the rim of said member, a projecting portion provided on the rim of the other of said members and adapted to be positioned in said undercut portion, and walls on said other member having their end portions adapted to abut said upstanding wall, whereby said parts may be separated by relative lateral movement but direct movement of one away from the other is prevented, and fastening means adapted to prevent such lateral movement and such direct movement, whereby said members are locked together, and whereby the upstanding wall on said member serves as a protective element for said cover.

8. In a rim spring latch lock, a pair of members, one of which is a bottom plate and adapted to be secured together so as to form a hollow casing, a bolt mounted for sliding movement on one of said members, an undercut provided on the end of the rim of one of said members forming the bottom plate, a projecting portion provided on the rim of the other of said members adjacent its edge and adapted to be positioned in said undercut portion, whereby said parts may be separated by relative lateral movement but direct movement of one away from the other is prevented, and fastening means adapted to prevent such lateral movement and such direct movement, whereby said members are locked together, and bolt operating means carried by each of said members, and an upstanding plate carried by said plate serving as a protective element for other of said members.

9. In a rim spring latch lock, a base plate, a bolt mounted for movement on said base plate, a member mounted on said base plate adapted to be moved relatively to said bolt and in certain positions thereof to engage portions of the bolt so as to hold it against movement, said member being arranged to resist the stresses to which said bolt may be subjected and means for moving said member, said means comprising pivotally mounted control means, and an arm carried by said control means and engaging said movable member, whereby a cover member is relieved of the stresses to'which said bolt may be subjected.

10. In a rim spring latch look, a bolt, a member adapted to be moved relatively to said bolt and in certain positions thereof to engage portions of the bolt so as to hold it against movement, said member being arranged to resist the stresses to which said bolt may be subjected and means for moving said member, said means comprising pivotally mounted control means, a forked arm carried by said control means and a pin carried by said movable member and positioned in the fork of said arm, whereby a cover member is relieved of the stresses to which said bolt may be subjected.

11. In a rim latch lock having a bolt, a cover open at the end and at the bottom substantially as defined by the edges of the side and front walls of said cover, a back-plate adapted to interfit with the cover in butt joint contact to form a closed casing, said back-plate comprising a bottom portion and a plate upstanding therefrom and adapted to close the open end of said cover by butt joint contact therewith, said plate having an aperture therein through which the bolt may protrude, means for interlocking the rim of said bottom portion with the cover, and means accessible only from the outer face of said upstanding plate for securing said cover to said plate, the upstanding wall carried by said back plate serving as a protective element for said cover.

12. In a rim latch look, a base plate-having means for fastening the same to a door and providing the primary means for holding the lock in position, a bolt mounted for movement on said base plate, a dead latching arrangement adapted to assume a position in which it prevents inward movement of said bolt also mounted on said base plate, said dead latching arrangement serving thereby to resist the stresses to which said bolt may be subjected, a cover, means for securing said cover to said base'plate, means to move said bolt mounted on said cover, and means to adjust said dead latching arrangement carried by said cover, whereby the cover member is relieved of the stresses to which said bolt may be subjected.

MORRIS FALK. 

